Members of the public can enter mink sightings in Florida into a Web-based reporting system to aid research efforts.

Mink looking out of den.Photo credit: Patrick Leary

FWC biologists want to know more about mink, and they’re asking the public to help them gather information. These semi-aquatic animals are typically found in or near water but appear to be quite rare in Florida. Mink’s secretive nature makes them very difficult to study, and biologists know little about their distribution and abundance.

To meet this challenge and improve our understanding of this species, the FWC launched a Web-based reporting system that allows Florida residents to share mink sightings with biologists.

This user-friendly reporting system has a Google Maps tool that helps citizens to easily locate and mark mink sightings, as well as comment fields in which people can share notes on mink behavior and habitat use. Those who are lucky enough to snap pictures of one of the elusive critters can also attach photos to their reports.

Since the inception of the mink reporting system, citizens have shared more than 80 sightings, including several pictures of mink in their natural habitat and tracks left behind in the sand and mud.

The FWC would like to thank everyone who has submitted a report for their contributions to mink research and encourages citizens to keep a watchful eye for these notoriously shy animals. The more information citizens share through the reporting system, the better biologists will be able to evaluate the status of mink in Florida.

Mink are relatively small with a long sleek body, thick tail, small ears and small eyes. Mink are typically 1.5 to 2.5 feet long from nose to tip of the tail and weigh up to 4 pounds as adults. Mink have a dark-chocolate colored body and, on occasion, a small patch of white along the chin and throat. They can be confused with otters and weasels. Otters look similar to mink but are much larger in size, weighing 10 to 30 pounds. Weasels are smaller than mink and have a distinctive bicolor appearance, with brown fur along the back and a yellow belly.

Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published its 2016 Agency Regulatory Plan.

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